Technology

In the aftermath of Isaac, thousands along the coast lost electricity.  What an essential part of our lives--lights, water, air conditioning, appliances, traffic lights, television, radios, cell phone re-chargers, and on and on.

Aside from the most crucial uses of electricity, casual communication is also at the mercy of electricity.  Almost everyone has experienced the exasperation of having computer problems or having a cell phone die (for whatever reasons):  the frustration is enormous.  We feel isolated, as if our lifelines have been severed.  Leaving home without a cell phone can make us uneasy, even if we have no intention of making a call.

Yet, it really was not that long ago that computers were relatively few and those few belonged to geeks, not the general public--before a cell phone was considered a necessity.  Historically speaking, 20 years or so is quite brief.

In those archaic times, we were out of touch if we weren't at home with a land line telephone at our disposal.  We were not instantly reachable if we were driving, shopping, or visiting.  We could remember phone numbers--speed dial wasn't available.  

Before Google, we had to go to the library if we wanted to do research, use the phone or write letters if we wanted to get in touch with friends.  Email? Texting?  Not available.

Both good and bad, of course, come with all the wonderful technological advances we enjoy.  In one way, our cell phones are security; in another, they are an obligation and/or an interruption.  Our computers entertain and inform, but they also allow us to retreat from face to face communication.

Even so, we love our cell phones and our computers.  Although not as important as some of the other benefits of electricity, we appreciate the ease of communication.

I've digressed...and meandered around the importance of electricity and communication.  While thinking about these things, partly because of Hurricane Isaac, an email about new fall television shows arrived in my inbox.

One new show this fall, Revolution, addresses some of the results of losing all of our technology, not just computers and cell phones--losing electricity and all of the conveniences it provides.

What would you do without it all? In this epic adventure from J.J. Abrams' Bad Robot Productions and "Supernatural's" Eric Kripke, a family struggles to reunite in an American landscape where every single piece of technology - computers, planes, cars, phones, even lights - has mysteriously blacked out forever. 

  A sort of dystopian adventure story created by Eric Kripke, J.J. Abrams, and Jon Favreau (enough reason to watch right there),  Revolution is definitely going on my watch list.